Rev. Eric Olsen serves as a chaplain in the New York Army National
Guard and was stationed in the Sunni Triangle north of Baghdad in 2004.

During his 10-month
deployment to Iraq, Major Eric Olsen, chaplain with the 2-108th Infantry
Battalion, contributed regular audio diaries from his base north of
Baghdad. The diaries, broadcast by North Country Public Radio, were
kept by Olsen and his wife Susan, who live in Saranac Lake with their
two children, Garth and Evan. His thoughts,
and the experiences of his wife offered some insight into the lives of
families separated by war.

One
year later, Olsen talked about the challenges
of returning to civilian life, and the difficulties of transition for
many reservists. He has since been promoted to Lt. Colonel.